Obama Says Clintons' Attacks Will BackfireGuess what? I believe that too. We have witnessed the undoing of an inevitable campaign, due to the sheer fact that Team Clinton truly believed the poll numbers, and that Team Clinton underestimated Barack Obama.

Barack Obama, stung by a fresh Bill Clinton attack on him, predicted that the Clinton campaign's increasingly negative tone will backfire by reminding voters of the bad, old "blood sport" days of the 1990s.

Speaking to reporters in this frozen central Iowa city yesterday, Obama said he was less than impressed by Hillary Rodham Clinton's apology for an aide's suggestion that he once dealt drugs. Asked if Clinton's mea culpa was sincere, a stone-faced Obama replied, "I'm not going to characterize it."

Many have watched in amusement, disbelief, sadness as Bill Clinton, on Charlie Rose's Show stated that Barack was not ready for this presidency. That he was a "roll of the dice". Well, wasn't Bill Clinton that in 1992? No one knew him from Adam's Hatrack. A govenor from a tiny state, that was last in virtually everything, all of a sudden on that national scene. Much was written about Bill Clinton's age, inexperience, etc. But somehow, the country believed it was time for someone new, fresh, not entrenched in Washington, D.C.

Now the quiet, rumblings, anger in the African-American Community is being talked about daily, and it is about the antics of The Clintons. Whoever is advising Hillary Clinton should be fired. Her misleading and mishandling of her staff is atrocious. The outwardly racial baiting from her hench men Joesph Wilson, Bob Kerrey and Bill Shaheen has not bid her well to the African-American Community.

It has unfolded mostly under the radar. But an important development in the 2008 Democratic battle may be the building backlash among African Americans over comments from associates of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that could be construed as jabs at Sen. Barack Obama's race.

These officials, including Clinton aides and prominent surrogates, have raised questions or dropped references about Obama's position on sentencing guidelines for crack vs. powder cocaine offenses; on his handgun control record; and on his admitted use of drugs as a youth. The context was always Obama's "electability." But the Illinois senator's campaign advisers said some African American leaders detect a pattern, and they believe it could erode Clinton's strong base of black support.

This article is accurate and precise. Many don't understand the Black Community and the radio. teacherken was one of the first to shout out, "hey something is going on here. The Black Community is livid about The Clintons insinuation of Barack Obama selling drugs and her campaign using racial tactics." (paraphrasing) And this was his synopsis by listening to Black Radio.

The Clintons missed a mark here. The Black Community is angry. Period. Many don't care if Clinton attack Obama on the issues, it is politics, it is hardball. But to slither to the depths of slimy snakes and use his ethnicity, race, family against him? Sorry, Hillary, you now have Black Voters who were firmly in your corner, moving to Barack Obama. And whose fault is that?

JustAngry has put out a great series broken down into six pieces, focusing on all the aspects you need to know about Barack Obama. Simply titled, The Only Thing You Need To Know. This is well worth a read for anyone who is searching more specific information about Senator Barack Obama.

In barely more than a month, the political attention now focused on the early voting in Iowa and New Hampshire will turn southward, to a Georgia neighbor with a proven record of helping decide presidential nominations.

South Carolina's first-in-the-South primaries are set for Jan. 19, and tracking is already well under way. CNN released an Opinion Research poll Friday that showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee claiming support from 24 percent of the state's Republican voters, surging eight percentage points ahead of one-time front-runner, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), former Sen. John Edwards (center) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) are locked in a close race in South Carolina.

Aong Democrats, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York was holding on at 42 percent against the rising Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who had moved up seven percentage points since a July poll to 34 percent.

CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider predicted an "all-out fight" among candidates well aware of South Carolina's potentially pivotal role. On the Republican side, South Carolina has picked the eventual party nominee in every primary contest since 1980. In 1992, Bill Clinton used a South Carolina win to solidify his claim on the Democratic nomination after being upset by rival Paul Tsongas in New Hampshire. AJC

Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday the nation's foreign policy challenges call for a new leader who will worry more about doing the right thing than how it will look.

"There are moments in history when it is not enough to fall back on conventional ways of doing things, because the threats we face are unconventional," Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery. "There are moments when new challenges demand new American leadership."

He said that for too long the conventional way of thinking about foreign policy has valued "time spent in Washington over timely judgments, posturing over pragmatism and fear of looking weak over the conviction to get things right."

He said he hasn't been afraid to buck Washington thinking when it comes to foreign policy, including his opposition of going to war with Iraq while he was a state senator in Illinois. He said he's the only Democratic nominee his Republican opponent won't be able to challenge on that point. AP

It is interactive. See all the dark blue patches? Those are the states with offices or upcoming offices to open for Obama, prior to February 5th.

How important is this? Very important.

While all the candidates are pitching their closing argument, the real argument is who will win on February 5, 2008. That is the question. Meaning, who has the staffing, money, organization, etc., to win decisively on February 5th.

We know Hillary is running a chit driven campaign. She has called the chits in and expects them to perform. Edwards has no presence in these states, at all.

So, what should Iowans look for? Electability? Yes, all candidates are electable. They all have issues but they can be elected. The key word is viability. Which candidates are viable? Which candidates have the strength now and can move people through this process? Which candidate can fund the massive February 5th primary/caucuses and win?

That is the question. And the candidates better have answers for these caucus goers. Because right now, I only see two candidates positioned for this task.

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well, it is cold out there. here at my home in the chicagoland area, the wind or "hawk" is whipping through here, as I finalize my last Christmas gifts. as, i look forward to chatting with my family the next few days, i hope that you are spending the time with your loved ones. and while you are at it, remember the biggest fight is coming soon, january 3rd. many of us will be in iowa, many of us will be mounting to new hampshire for the january 8th showdown. the blogs can be brutal now, just remember to stay focus on obama and not the drama. i am in iowa on the 27th through the caucus. i will post a short version of 'this week' next sunday, and try to post updates. keep your head up and let's win this thing.

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